Fred Simmons doesn’t remember much at 98 years of age. The lifetime resident of Shelby and decorated Eagle Scout served in the Boy Scouts from 1928 to 1933.

He was born in Paris, Texas, but when half of the town burned down, his family moved back to Shelby.

"Everybody knew everybody then," said his daughter, Suzanne.

From then on, he stayed in Cleveland County. He became a Scout in two sponsored troops in Shelby: Troop 5, which met at First Methodist Church, and Troop 2, which met at the Masonic hall building in uptown Shelby.

63 badges

Suzanne has kept track of his Scouting experiences over the years.

She said Fred joined the Scouts at the age of 13.

"In his day, the walking stick was a part of the uniform," she said.

During his five years as a Scout, Fred was awarded 63 badges, including badges for masonry, book binding, civics and beekeeping.

Suzanne said the “Road to Eagle Scout” has changed over the years, but one of the requirements then was a certain number of badges.

Range of experiences

At the time, Fred and five other boys were in competition for getting the most badges.

Fred got a cycling badge for riding from Shelby to Fallston and back twice in 1931. He also learned how to make pottery in Catawba County. He went camping in Polkville and at Blue Rock Mountain in Lake Lure.

Sometimes an Indian named Blue Sky Eagle would visit the Scouts' camp in Polkville.

"Blue Sky Eagle would come from New Mexico to North Carolina and teach dancing," said Suzanne.

Many years later, in 2000, Blue Sky Eagle came to a Schiele Museum event in Gastonia, the opening of the Henry Hall of the American Indian. Both Simmons and Blue Sky Eagle remembered being at the Scouts' camp years before.

In 1930, President Hoover visited Kings Mountain to make it a national military park.

More than 80,000 people attended the event, including Fred. His troop helped park cars at the event. What Fred remembered most was seeing airplanes flying overhead.

Those airplanes later inspired him to become a pilot. Fred learned to be a barnstormer, doing spins and tricks in his airplane. In the 1970s, he was featured on "Carolina Camera," a WBTV news program. He took the host, Andrew Shore, in the air to do spins and tricks.

He also became an architect.

“He was really interested in Frank Lloyd Wright,” said Suzanne.

That interest influenced the design of their family's two houses.

Inspiration to young Scouts

These days, Fred fondly looks over his badges and relaxes at the assisted living home where he now resides. He sewed each of his badges on his Boy Scout sash as he received them, and kept all of his badge cards in a first aid kit box.

Occasionally, Fred will point at one in recognition, saying the name that goes with the badge.

Fred recently attended the Gathering of the Eagles, an event recognizing Eagle Scouts in Shelby.

“They had a nice display with backpacks and handbooks," Suzanne said. "They want to make it an annual event."

Fred is also a life member of the Rotary Club in Boiling Springs and was a graduate of N.C. State. He officially retired at 92, with his architect number of 636, a rare and very low number in the state of North Carolina.

“He used to have people drop in all the time and shake his hand,” said Suzanne.

Suzanne said his Scouting and badge work are indicative of the things he liked.

“I like to think that a lot of this badge work led to his career,” she said.

When asked if he thought boys ought to be involved in scouting, Fred answered, "Certainly!"

Suzanne said she just wanted to tell his story.

"I hope it will inspire other young boys to enroll in scouting," she said.